18 “Do not allow a sorceress to live.
A sorceress in their context was someone who actively pursued the power of evil spirits in their life. For a long time here in this country sorcery was almost non-existent. But in the last 20 years or so, it has become a popular trend among young people. It is now acceptable to conjure up spirits, use magic and incantations for personal advantage. I am not talking about the fantasy literature like J.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit or C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. I am talking about things like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and
the rise of Harry Potter. These modern versions lack any moral grounding. The evil is used for selfish reasons. The moral lessons are post-modern at best. There are no ultimate rights and wrongs. It is all about getting out of trouble personally. And evil is allowed to triumph because evil is just as good as good. Evil is just a different perspective on the situation, no less valid than any other perspective. People are encouraged to experiment with witchcraft for themselves, as a legitimate power available to help them in their lives. Because these modern amoral versions are so popular, it is important to foster the grounding of fantasy in a solid moral foundation. That is what Tolkien and Lewis did for previous generations. Those had solid notions of right and wrong. There was a moral framework that prohibited the use of powers for selfish reasons. Power was always used for the triumph of the Good. The Lord gives very clear instructions to the Israelites. There must be a cleansing of their camp. No one who engages in these activities is allowed to live, to carry their practices into the Promised Land.
The Arnold Journey 